new idea for nl-the advantage of being first to act

[Vade 0]

Hear me out here folksWhen you're playing NL, and you're the preflop raiserOften it becomes a matter of just attacking the flop and winning the pot right there. Now granted, there are times where you will get reraised, BUT if I'm first to act after the flop, and I raised it before...I will bet the pot, and get folds around-basically stealingNow again, this might seem like a contradiction, and perhaps is just because it's a microlimit NL game, but here's my stats for the current session (and this has happened beforeStatistics for 214 HandsStreet Saw Saw/Total Flop 40 19%Turn 10 5%River 5 2%Showdown 4 2%Street Won Won/Saw Won/TotalPre-flop 3 1% 1%Flop 13 33% 6%Turn 2 20% 1%River 1 20% 0%Showdown 3 75% 1%It seems crazy, but if you're an aggressive player like I consider myself to be, on a lot of these hands I'm winning because I'm first to act and can fire my shell before anyone elseThoughts?

[GT123 0]

This is nothing new, its called a continuation bet.

[Vade 0]

Right, but I'm thinking specifically about being the first to actMaybe it's just me, but this kind of contrarian thinking hadn't occured to me before

[Smasharoo 0]

I'm winning because I'm first to act and can fire my shell before anyone elseThoughts?You're winning ebcause you're betting with the best handmst of the time.

[GT123 0]

Right, but I'm thinking specifically about being the first to actMaybe it's just me, but this kind of contrarian thinking hadn't occured to me before

I'm talking about being first to act too. Also betting the pot is too much, you should bet around half the pot or 3/4 the pot.

[Blink20 0]

Your point is very clear in this case VAde, but I would still say having a hand in position is a lot better than being first to act. I think you are basically saying its great to act first because you get to bet first and take the pot down right there. There are obvious disadvantages to this. One is that an opponent will pick up on your tendency and when you get raised, you are now first to act on all betting rounds, that AK is a lot tougher to play acting first on the turn and river than if you were on the button. Also, a majority of the time, being the preflop raiser, if you are in position, people will check to you anyway, so you will still get the advantage of being the first to be out at the pot. I disagree with the thought that being first to act is a great thing, but I do like your strategy of keeping the lead after being the preflop raiser. It is certainly true, and well known, that you can take down pots just by being the aggressor and initiating the action, rather than being a weak calling station.

[RISEorFall 0]

Yeah, Smash is right here. You're not bluffing with A-high or whatever you have. More often than not, you're betting with the best hand, even if it is high card.